Chateau De La Mer is a part of the five acres Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center compound in Amoingon, Boac,Marinduque, Philippines. Visit Related Website: engrvv.wix.com/chateau-du-mmer
Some photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringing in your copyrights. Cheers!

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Macrine and I have always gone to have our routine laboratory test ( metabolism panel, urine etc..) at our neighborhood branch of Quest Diagnostics. We do this every quarter prior to our Family Physician Check-up. There are three Quest Diagnostics (QD) locations within a 5-mile distance from our residence. For the last ten years we have been going to the location nearest our residence, which is less than one mile ( Sunrise). Our waiting time averages about 45 minutes to one hour. However, lately the waiting time had gone longer and longer sometimes up to more than 90 minutes depending on the time of your arrival.

Today, we woke up at 6:30 AM and was right at the door of the testing Lab at 7:00AM. I was so shock to see that 20 people are already in line to sign up. I notice that the registration line was so slow, I decided I will try another location about 3 miles ( Mercy Building) away. We were there at 7:15AM. There were two patients ahead of us. The sign up is computerized. I told the front clerk about the Sunrise Office. She told me their branch has usually 6 to 7 phlebotomist and so business is fast. The Sunrise Branch has only 3 to 4 blood suckers, and the sign up is manual. However both branches still asked for your insurance Card every time you have a lab test. We have no appointment but had our lab test was done in less than 30 minutes.

The service will be faster if you make appointment. I tried making an appointment on line, But I did not like the appointment system. It is so archaic and antiquated and very confusing. I often wonder why the Data Based of the Lab is not computerized so that once you check in and gave your insurance card it is on the data base. All the clerk has to do is ask you if your insurance is still the same every time you visit the lab. QD generates more than $7 billion of revenue and can not afford to completely computerized their data base! What a Shame and a good example of poor management! I think the reason for this is the company has no competition, thus no incentive to modernize and spent money for automation. Here's what Wikipedia says about Quest Diagnostics.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company providing clinical laboratory services with headquarters in Madison, New Jersey. Founded in 1967 as Metropolitan Pathology Laboratory, Inc., it became an independent corporation with the Quest name on December 31, 1996. In addition to the United States, Quest Diagnostics also runs operations in United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico and a laboratory in India and also has collaborative agreements internationally with various hospitals and clinics. It is a member of the Fortune 500 and the S&P 500, with corporate headquarters located in Madison, New Jersey. The company has approximately 44,000 employees, generates more than $7 billion in revenue and offers access to diagnostic testing services for cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease and neurological disorders.

Monday, February 27, 2017

If you are following my blogs, you probably know that I am the Primary Care Giver for my spouse who has Parkinson's Disease. Every now and then I get a relief from relatives and friends taking care of Macrine.

Yesterday, our daughter( Dinah) and granddaughter( Elaine) visited Macrine and brought lunch with them. After lunch they brought her to our nearby Mall to shop for Sees Chocolates and a sweater. Then they went to the Food Court for snacks and dessert. For 3 hours they had a great time, just visiting and enjoying the Mall. In the meantime, I went back to sleep for 30 minutes. The rest of my free time, I did some writing and updating my blogs. It was a fun afternoon for Macrine and a much welcome relief for me.

When they came back from the Mall, Macrine was tired and complained of neck pains. Dinah try to massage it, while Elaine was staring. Without any warning, Elaine blurted to us. I am really trying to help Mom have a boy friend or husband now so that 20 years from now I do not have to do what she is doing to Lola. We all laugh. Dinah ask if PD is genetic. I answered some form of PD is genetic, since her father had also PD before he died. Again thank you Dinah and Elaine for your visit. They promised to visit us again next month.

For details on my tribulations as a primary care giver when we were in Marinduque last year read the following:

Thursday, February 23, 2017

If you are not a Filipino or had no Philippine connections, you probably have not heard of Romblon, Philippines. Romblon is the marble capital of the Philippines. It is a province that have touched my childhood years. I have written a chapter ( Chapter 2) in my autobiography about Romblon (http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2011/12/chapter-2-memories-of-romblon-1945.html) for your additional information.

Close-up of marble bench from Romblon

My Marble bench and table at Chateau Du Mer in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines ( I have 2 benches and 3 tables in the beach house)

Not all products in this photo are in my collection. I have a mortar and pestle set, 4 ash trays, 3 vases and a dozen eggs.

This is my marble lamp and square marble side table in the beach house in Amoingon, Boac, Philippines

Marble eggs and marble dildo ash trays are popular products and gift items

Monday, February 20, 2017

Group Photo of the Research Department in 1964. I was #36 in the group photo.

My first industrial job after finishing my Ph.D from the University of Illinois was for Chemagro Corp in Kansas City, Missouri. My title was Chemist in the methods Development group( Biochemistry) headed by Dr. Charles Anderson ( Chuck). My primary duty was to develop methods for the detection of pesticides residues in plant and animal tissues. My work for five years( 1964-1969) resulted in several publications on the subject of analytical methods for pesticide residues in a couple of scientific journals. I enjoyed my first job very much because of my fellow employees and my supervisor, Dr Anderson.

Chemagro sponsored me for my permanent resident visa from a student visa. Looking at the group photo above, I now realized I was the first Filipino scientist hired by the company. There were 40 employees in the research Department mostly white men. There were only six women and no black scientist in our department. I was very proud to be the only Asian hired by the company for several years. As a matter of fact my photo with two other white chemists was published in the Kansas City Star as an advertising for the company.

Photo Taken in 1967

Here's the latest information about Chemagro from the Internet: Chemagro is now called Bayer CropScience, LP.

The Bayer Crop Science site is located on about 236 acres at 8400 Hawthorne Road in North Kansas City, Missouri, approximately 1.5 miles south of the confluence of the Missouri and Blue rivers. The facility occupies about 150 acres of the site and is protected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ East Bottom Flood Levee. The remaining property is undeveloped land lying outside the Levee (river side of the Levee).

Before 1956, the property was farmland. In 1956, the facility opened as an agricultural chemical manufacturing facility, known as Chemagro, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer A.G. in 1967. In 1971, the facility came under control of the Mobay Chemical Corp. as a result of the merger and restructuring of various U.S. businesses affiliated with Bayer A.G. Over the years the facility formulated and produced numerous insecticides, fungicides and herbicides for agricultural use, including guthion (azinphosmethyl), disulfoton (Disyston), fenthion (Baytex), demeton (Systox), coumaphos (Baymix) and Meta-Systox-R.

A variety of hazardous wastes were produced as part of the facility operations. From 1959 to 1973, approximately 7,450 tons of material was land disposed in three areas at the facility where trenches were reportedly dug. This material consisted of about 6,902 tons of Filter Aid (a semi-solid paste that remains after pesticide recovery), 16 tons of ethyl phosphoro-triesters with toluene, 500 tons of methyl phosphoro-triesters with naphthol spirit and 30 tons of DEF water treatment residue (polyphosphates of tri-n-butyl thioester phosphates). After the final placement of these materials, the areas were covered with a layer of dirt and then gravel or grass.

Since 1979, the facility has operated two hazardous waste container storage areas in the south-central part of the facility, with a combined capacity of 12,375 gallons; four 27,000-gallon hazardous waste storage tanks and one hazardous waste incinerator. In January 1992, the facility name changed to Miles Inc., and in April 1995 the name changed to Bayer Corp., Agricultural Division. These were not changes in ownership or operating responsibility, but changes in company name only. In 2002, Bayer CropScience LP assumed ownership of the site.

This facility is not a commercial waste management facility, since the wastes are limited to Bayer or Bayer contractor produced wastes. Bayer also arranges for off-site treatment and disposal of waste that can not be treated in the incinerator.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Firefall at Yosemite National Park-only on mid to late February at sunset and only for 10 minutes if waterfall conditions are right.

Have you ever seen a waterfall on fire? I have not except on pictures as posted in this blog. It is a rare event, since it occurs only on mid to late February at sunset if the temperature and water conditions are right and usually last only for 10 minutes. The following video will illustrate it all.

For more details visit:
http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/search?q=yosemite
https://www.xplorit.com/yosemite-mariposa-county-tourism-bureau/

Friday, February 17, 2017

I have been retired from the US Federal Government since 2002. Looking back on my participation to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) back in the mid 1990's, I know I could have been a Millionaire, If I risked my savings into the more risky C fund ( stocks). At that time there were only three options to invest -The G, F and C Funds. I was putting 5% of my salary and the Government was matching it ( 6%). At that time I invested 1/3 of my savings to each G, F and C Funds because I was not risky enough to invest 100% to the C fund (stocks).

I have a fellow worker who put all his savings in the C fund. When he retired in 2002 he had almost a savings closed to 1 million, while mine was not even half of his savings. However, I did not regret since I did not have sleepless nights following the ups and downs of the stock market during those years. For more details on the TSP Savings Plan read:

Macrine and I had another chance during our younger years to become millionaires if were risky in our investments. About 3 decades ago when the condominium market was just starting in Makati, Manila, Macrine's cousin invited us to buy condos ( 50-50 joint venture) with him in Makati. We seriously considered it. However, at that time we were not sure of our retirement plans and we did not invest with him. Macrine's cousin is now a millionaire because of his investment in the condo market in Makati and Manila suburbs.

The front of our Beach House-Chateau Du Mer in Marinduque

Today, although we are not millionaires we are very happy. I invested the money I inherited from my Parents ( Iloilo) and my TSP savings building our retirement home and beach house we called Chateau Du Mer in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines.

For more details about our beach house and retirement home in the Philippines, visit http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com

Lesson: Money will not buy you happiness, but it makes life easier in your retirement years!

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Yesterday, Valentine's Day, I treated Macrine for a Valentine Day Dinner and an afternoon trip to our local Indian Casino. David was off and he volunteered to accompany Macrine to the slots Machine while I played Pai Gow Poker. My capital was $200 since the minimum bet was $15 with a dollar and two dollar side bets. The side bets will pay extra if you have a Full House ( or better poker hand) to the highest poker hand of a 7 royal Flush Poker Hand. The chance of winning the Royal Flush is worst than being hit by a Lighting.

However the chance of getting Full house or 4 of a Kind poker hand is doable. The 1 dollar side bet pays only 1 to 4 for full house and 4 of a Kind. The two dollar side bet pays $150 for the 4 of a Kind Hand, but I did not bet on it. The pay-off for a & Royal Flush Hand was 1.4 million. But how often one is dealt with a Royal Flush Hand. Maybe 1 in 31,000! That is you have to play 31,000 times before you can hit a royal flush of 5 cards. With 7 my guess would be 1 in 1 million is the odds.

After playing for one hour( about 20 hands) I was ahead about $55. On my last hand prior to our early dinner, I hit 4 Jacks and a Pair of Nine. Since I was betting only on the one dollar side bet, I received only a $25 bonus instead of $150. I was delighted as we went for our Special Valentine Dinner. The 3-course Dinner cost was $24. We had soup, steak and shrimp with rice/vegetables as the main dish and chocolate Decadent Cake with Berries and Ice Cream for Dessert. The dinner was excellent.

After dinner, Macrine decided to play more slots for 30 minutes as I head my way to the Pai Gow Tables. All the three Tables were filled and I waited for 10 minutes to get a seat. My capital was $100. After 30 minutes Macrine was ready to go home. I lost $50 this time. We went home happy but tired. When we arrived home, I took a nap for an hour, then a snack before bed time. It was a FUN DAY at the Casino.

In case you are not familiar with Pai Gow Poker, here's the link from the Internet and from my previous blog for details.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

For the last couple of decades prior to our quarterly medical check up, Macrine and I are required by our family physician to take the basic metabolic panel blood test. I was curious why and what possible diseases it can detect. Here's a summary of what I found in the web for your information.

The tests that make up the basic metabolic panel are blood (serum) tests for:

1. BUN (blood urea nitrogen)
This test measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood.

5. Sodium
This test determines if the concentration of sodium is within normal limits. It is part of your electrolyte panel.

6. Potassium
Your potassium levels are tested as part of your electrolyte panel.

7. Calcium
Testing for the calcium levels in your blood can help determine if there is a kidney, bone, or nervous system problem.

8. Chloride
Chloride levels are checked as part of your electrolyte panel.

9. Albumin
A few laboratories also include tests for albumin, which tests blood protein levels to test for kidney and liver disease.

The basic metabolic panel can give your doctor a good idea if you have any serious problems with: blood filtration, acid/base balance of your blood, blood sugar levels, and electrolyte levels. This can help uncover kidney problems, lung problems, certain heart problems, and problems with your pancreas or insulin metabolism. More detailed tests and additional will be ordered if any of these basic indicators are abnormal.

One advantage of a panel of tests is that many tests can be done with just one blood sample that is divided up in the laboratory.

For Colon Cancer: There is the SimpliPro Colon test but it is not intended for use as a screening test or for patients without symptoms associated with colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma. You will need to have a colonoscopy to confirm if you have colon cancer.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Two weeks ago, I posted in my blogs that I have been diagnosed with mild to moderate form of arthritis in my left knee. My sister-in-law and daughter as well as another FB friend recommenced that I take turmeric since they found it to be useful in their arthritis. I was not sure what dosage form I should take, I did some research and here's what I found about turmeric and its health benefits.
(https://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/)

Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb. Recently, science has started to back up what the Indians have known for a long time… it really does contain compounds with medicinal properties.

These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

However, the curcumin content of turmeric is not that high… it’s around 3%, by weight. Most of the studies on this herb are using turmeric extracts that contain mostly curcumin itself, with dosages usually exceeding 1 gram per day. It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using the turmeric spice in your foods. Therefore, if you want to experience the full effects, then you need to take an extract that contains significant amounts of curcumin.

Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. It helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine… a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2000%

Because curcumin is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reducing characteristics, a study was conducted on 45 rheumatoid arthritis patients to compare the benefits of curcumin in turmeric to arthritis drugs (diclofenac sodium), that put people at risk of developing leaky gut and heart disease.

The study split these volunteers into three groups: curcumin treatment alone, diclofenac sodium alone, and a combination of the two. The results of the trial were eye-opening:

The curcumin group showed the highest percentage of improvement in overall [Disease Activity Score] scores and these scores were significantly better than the patients in the diclofenac sodium group. More importantly, curcumin treatment was found to be safe and did not relate with any adverse events. Our study provides the first evidence for the safety and superiority of curcumin treatment in patients with active RA, and highlights the need for future large-scale trials to validate these findings in patients with RA and other arthritic conditions.

Published by Phytotherapy Research in 2012, the results of this study has encouraged more human research to evaluate the amazing effects curcumin-rich plants like turmeric has on people suffering from various different types of arthritis.

A Bottle of turmeric Capsules, my daughter gave me as a gift provided I take the Capsules

One of the dosage form found effective is from 1000mg to 1200mg per day capsules. Virtually no side effects except constipation. If you are reading this and taking turmeric for your arthritis, I like to hear from you.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Three weeks ago, my left knee was in pain and my personal physician confirmed it after an X'ray as a start of a mild to moderate form of Arthritis. There is no cure to arthritis but your diet could affect and reduce the swelling besides taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Naprosin and other analgesics. I did some research on what foods to take as well as to avoid. The site below described foods that helps in reducing swelling and may reduce pain to a more manageable level.

The best approach to food for people with arthritis is a well-balanced diet which, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, should be centered on plant-based foods. Approximately two-thirds of your diet should come from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The other third should include low-fat dairy products and lean sources of protein. Fish Products are also highly recommended.

Exercise is one of the best things you can do to help your knees by helping maintain range of motion and strengthening the muscles that support them. Research shows that even relatively minor increases in the strength of the quadriceps – the muscles that run along the front of the thigh – can help reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis and its progression, and reduce pain. Exercise can be helpful for other forms of arthritis, too, because it strengthens the muscles that support the joint. Proper exercise also may reduce the risk of knee injury and, if you need knee surgery, it will make recovery easier.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

The last couple of years, I remember I did not feel old at all although I was already on my late 70's. Four years ago prior to the PD diagnosis of my spouse for over 59 years( this May 8 will be our 60th year anniversary), I felt young, energetic and hopeful. I remember that four years ago, I was not only mentally, and physically fit, but also spiritually fit. The thought of getting old had not occurred in my mind at time.

Today, I do not feel young and although I am mentally and spiritually fit, my physical fitness as of today in now in limbo and in question. You do need the three items namely physical, mental and spiritual fitness not to feel old.

It started about ten days ago. One morning I woke up with a lingering pain on my left knee. On a scale of 1 to 10, I felt it was about a 3 to 4. I can still tolerate it without taking any pain medications. As the days progressed I tried massage, heat therapy and mild exercise. Nothing works, I have to take aspirin.

The other day, I decided to see my family physician. He examined my left knee and thinks it must be a torn ligament in the knee or a start of arthritis, since the pain appears to be aggravated by cold temperature. He ordered an X'ray, prescribed (Naprosin ) an anti-inflammatory/analgesic drug and a knee support hose. The Naprosin and the Knee support seems to help alleviate the pain, but I am not completely pain free.

Today I got the results of the X'ray. No torn ligaments but the start of arthritis. So what is arthritis. Here's an excerpt from www.athritis.org

Arthritis is very common but is not well understood. Actually, “arthritis” is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. People of all ages, sexes and races can and do have arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.

Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate or severe. They may stay about the same for years, but may progress or get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes.

On a positive note: I passed my driver's license renewal for another five years after submitting the results of my vision test from my ophthamologist. I am however restricted to day driving and no extensive freeway driving. This is good enough for me as I only drive to the grocery and drug stores and once or twice a month to the Casino. Although I have no official restriction on Night Driving, I seldom drive at night and will do it only on emergency.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Jessie Lichauco
I recommend this Vimeo video by Arturo Prins in case you have not seen it. For the synopsis read below.

https://vimeo.com/162550581

“Under the Banyan tree” is a documentary exploring the inner world, memories and experiences of a 105-year-old Philippine woman, Nana Jessie. The life of a woman who at 18 left her birthplace in Cuba, to travel across land and ocean all by herself, to meet her future husband, Marcial Lichauco, in Manila. This is the portrait of a life full of adventure and unusual situations, embracing from before World War II to the present day. A house packed with old books, antiques, exotic objects, stuffed wild animals, photo albums, cats, dogs and a huge two hundred year old banyan tree next to the Pasig River, will be the supporting actors at the background of her memories. Through them and a clownish historical guide named Carlos, we will discover the history of a country, the traces of the Spanish and North American colonization, as well as the violent Japanese invasion during World War II.

The film is a kaleidoscopic glance at Grandma Jessie´s recollections, a dance with ghosts arising from her past: the turbulent XXth century Philippine history. A poetic mapping of the home where she lived almost all her life, enduring war amongst other hazardous situations, always protected by the presence of the eternal banyan tree, a symbol of permanence and stability. A centennial woman, much like the Pasig waters, softly caressing the river bank close to the house, with its boats and humble people.

A historical review of Philippine XXth century through the photographic albums; a series of interviews to the offspring of Philippine prostitutes and soldiers from the North American military base, socially excluded individuals, deprived of any citizenship rights; talks with some of Jessie´s seven children; conversations with survivors from the concentration camps during the War; participation in local folk dances; enjoying beautiful landscapes; mingling with today’s inhabitants along the river. All of these will merge into a surprising, unpredictable film about a family, a country, a history.

This is not a regular documentary, but rather a joyful song about everything surrounding Jessie, her photo albums, her furniture, the stuffed antelopes and lions, the magical corners of a home haunted by memories. Silent pauses, thoughtful gazes towards the river, the people surrounding her, a visual poetry telling us of her life, her feelings, her dead husband, her children, her home, her country. A picture where peace and violence, wealth and poverty, curiosity and love, youth and old age, sadness and joy, all take turns to leave a mark on her soul. An unexpected look into a country and its people, a road with an unforeseen end, bright images connecting and wrapping us with memories, secrets, past emotions, through the eyes and voice of this wise, adorable woman.

Here's a short biography of Marcial Lichauco, husband of Jessie from Wikipedia:

Lichauco studied at the American-established Central School in Manila. After having graduated as the valedictorian of his class, he entered Harvard University. In 1923, he became the first Filipino to graduate from Harvard. He later studied at Harvard Law School and graduated in 1926.

Throughout the period, Lichauco traveled in the United States delivering speeches promoting the idea of Philippine independence. He collaborated with Moorfield Storey to publish "The Conquest of the Philippines by the United States" to draw attention to the Philippine-American war.

In the 1930s, Lichauco was secretary to the OsRox Mission, which traveled to the United States Congress to urge passage of a bill granting independence to the Philippines. This ultimately became the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act.

Lichauco spent WW-II in occupied Manila. After the war, Lichauco published "Dear Mother Putnam" to document day-to-day life in Japanese-occupied Manila.

In 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal appointed Marcial Lichauco as Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Lichauco served in that post until 1966.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is a scientific nonprofit organization that sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements manufactured, distributed and consumed worldwide. USP’s drug standards are enforceable in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, and these standards are used in more than 140 countries.

Since its founding in 1820, USP has helped secure the quality of the American drug supply. Building on that legacy, USP today works with scientists, practitioners, and regulators of many nations to develop and revise standards that help protect public health worldwide. Here's a short video about the USP Pharmacopeia.

My involvement with the United States Pharmacopeia(USP)started in 1995 and ended in 2005. In 1995, I was first elected to USP Council of Experts, Standards Division in the Antibiotics and Natural Products Committees. My first term of 5 years ended in 2000, but I was reelected to another five years term in 2000 ending in 2005. As an elected member of the Council of Experts, I was responsible for establishing standards of identity, safety, quality, purity of drug substances and drug products as well as in-vitro and diagnostic products, dietary supplements and related articles used in health care. Just in case you have not heard of USP...

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is the official pharmacopeia of the United States, published dually with the National Formulary as the USP-NF. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (usually also called the USP) is the nonprofit organization that owns the trademark and copyright to the USP-NF and publishes it every year. Prescription and over–the–counter medicines and other health care products sold in the United States are required to follow the standards in the USP-NF. USP also sets standards for food ingredients and dietary supplements.

My election to the USP Council of Experts was a very selected process. In 1995, there were more than 700 scientist nation-wide from academia, government and private industry who volunteered to serve. USP selection committee narrowed it down to 256 final nominees. Of the 256 final nominees, only 128 were elected.

Election to the Council of Experts ( formerly known as the Committee of Revision) confirms that the person elected is both the national and international expert in the field of election. My field is in Antibiotics and natural products( botanical drugs).

As far as I know I was the first Filipino-American elected to USP since its inception in 1820. Approved drugs and new drugs to be marketed in US must comply with the USP requirements with regards to identity, safety, quality and purity. The USP/NF is used by pharmacists, chemists, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals as well as consumers. I am very proud of my ten years of involvement with USP during my active working years as an Analytical Chemist for four private companies and as a Chemistry Team Leader in FDA for 12 years.

Lastly, the University of the Philippines Chemistry Alumni Newsletter congratulated me on my election to the USP/CE with this note. " We join with your colleagues and your family in congratulating you for this singular honor, which bring prestige to the Philippines as well."

Joys of Retirement at Chateau De La Mer, Marinduque, Philippines

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement.
Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents.
With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows:
First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above.
The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive.
With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque.
For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org
As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.

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About Me

Orchids and Statuaries in the Gardens of Chateau De La Mer

Orchids in the Front Yard of the Main House
The photos above are some of the statuaries and orchids from the Gardens Of Chateau de la Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines.

Disclaimer: Most of the photos and videos included in this blog are not owned by me unless stated. If you are the owner of the photo/video and you would like to be credited, please let me know and I will pay proper attribution after careful verification of your identity and of your 'claimed' image/s. The photos/videos used in this blog are results of myGoogle and other Internet searches. Thank you and if you enjoy this blog, help support it, by clicking on the ads.